Shane Steichen’s third season brings a decent balance to where the position battles lie for the 2025 campaign.
1. Quarterback
Indianapolis Colts OTAs Source:Getty
While this is clearly the most important position battle in 2025, how much of a “battle” it will actually be remains to be seen.
Anthony Richardson having to miss more than 3/4ths of the spring team practices has helped move Daniel Jones into a firmer position as the team’s starting QB.
If Richardson can return to throwing at the start of camp (first practice is July 23rd), that’ll be huge in this competition eventually restarting.
For now though, this is Jones’ job to lose.
2. Center
NFL: JUL 25 Colts Training Camp Source:Getty
This is probably my most “even” position battle entering training camp.
Tanor Bortolini (4th round pick in 2024) vs. Danny Pinter (5th round pick in 2020).
With Ryan Kelly now in Minnesota, the Colts will have a new center for the first time since the 2015 campaign.
Bortolini and Pinter appeared to trade off days getting starting work with the first unit.
In Pinter’s 4 playing seasons in the NFL (an ankle injury sidelined him for the entire 2023 season), the Ball State product has started a game in every season (1 start, 3 starts, 3 starts, 2 starts).
Bortolini actually got a handful of rookie starts, but late in the season, the Colts opted to go with Pinter over him when they needed someone to start for Kelly.
3. 3rd Cornerback
Indianapolis Colts v Denver Broncos Source:Getty
How much of this is actually a battle?
Charvarius Ward and Kenny Moore II are the clear top corners for the Colts, but we know a 3rd cornerback is essentially a starter.
Jaylon Jones played the 3rd most snaps of any Colts defensive player last season, so he was my assumption as the obvious choice here for the 2025 year.
But did third-round pick Justin Walley do enough this spring, under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, to create some competition?
With Jones sidelined due to a soft tissue issue, Walley turned some heads.
And JuJu Brents could factor in, too.
4. Defensive End
Tennessee Titans v Indianapolis Colts Source:Getty
Anytime you are debating playing time on the defensive line, we must acknowledge that plenty of bodies will play on game day.
In the spring, Laiatu Latu and Kwity Paye were the consistent defensive end starters.
-Will Samson Ebukam challenge at all, as he gets up to full speed from his torn Achilles?
-What about veteran Tyquan Lewis?
-Is second-round pick JT Tuimoloau a candidate at all?
Again, all 5 of these guys will factor in to play time, but divvying it up will be interesting to watch.
5. Kicker
NFL: SEP 08 Texans at Colts Source:Getty
A kicker battle!
The Colts have one, although I view Spencer Shrader as the favorite here with undrafted free agent Maddux Trujillo
Oddly, this kicker battle is between undrafted free agents from each of the last two years, with no veteran option for the Colts to pick from.
Internally, the Colts are extremely high on Shrader. They love the booming leg of his and the mental makeup of the former soccer player.
Nonetheless, it’ll be an inexperienced placekicker for the Colts in 2025.